Engineering hydrogels as extracellular matrix mimics

Synthetic PEG Hydrogels as Extracellular Matrix Mimics for Tissue Engineering Applications

In recent years the field of tissue engineering, or regenerative medicine, has developed from the need to replace damaged and/or diseased tissues and organs by combining biomaterial scaffolds, biological signaling molecules, and cells. The regeneration of tissues may be achieved using either one of two principle approaches: 1) the in vitro construction or 2) the in vivo induction of tissue. In ...

Promoting Extracellular Matrix Crosslinking in Synthetic Hydrogels

Engineering extracellular matrix through nanotechnology.

The goal of tissue engineering is the creation of a living device that can restore, maintain or improve tissue function. Behind this goal is a new idea that has emerged from twentieth century medicine, science and engineering. It is preceded by centuries of human repair and replacement with non-living materials adapted to restore function and cosmetic appearance to patients whose tissues have b...

The extracellular matrix as a biologic scaffold for tissue engineering

● To understand the composition and organization of extracellular matrix (ECM) in tissues and organs ● To recognize the utility of scaffolds derived from ECM in the field of tissue engineering ● To comprehend the importance of mechanical behavior and mechanical design in the use of ECM scaffolds for tissue repair ● To identify the process by which ECM scaffolds are produced ● To understand some...

Protein-engineered biomaterials: nanoscale mimics of the extracellular matrix.

BACKGROUND Traditional materials used as in vitro cell culture substrates are rigid and flat surfaces that lack the exquisite nano- and micro-scale features of the in vivo extracellular environment. While these surfaces can be coated with harvested extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins to partially recapitulate the bio-instructive nature of the ECM, these harvested proteins often exhibit large ba...